Isobel plays with the Charlotte, from a boat down the dock.

This post is for those interested in engines.

When we refit the boat at Shelburne Shipyard on Lake Champlain in 08 to 09, their mechanic and my first mechanical mentor handed me some gallon jugs of anti-freese/coolant to put in our new BetaMarine Engine. I poured it in and I haven't really thought much of it since. Well, really, coolant level is part of my engine check... and having been 4 years, I was wondering if I should change it...

Last Sunday, another boat asked to borrow some anti-freeze... the next day they returned a jug of Prestone. On the label it suggested changing the antifreeze every two years... hmmm...

So, after some research I have found that what I have is a long life anti freeze originally developed by Texaco and Halvolene. Now it is sold under many labels as Long Life Anti-freeze/coolant. It is distinguished from the green coolant we all know by being more clear and a red color (which I think is a Red-Orange).

The advantage for us is that it lasts a long time. It is a bigger up front cost... and like other things, over time, it is less expensive. The green anti-freeze forms a sludge that accumulates in the engine.

I am still working on how to test to see if the Red Long Life Anti-freeze is still effective. So far I have found that a booster can be added to renew it.